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Friday, August 14, 2009

10 Ways to Put Off Procrastination

Are you a procrastinator? Well, if you just had the thought: "Maybe I'll read this tomorrow," that's a good sign you might be. Webster's defines procrastination as the practice of "[putting] off intentionally and habitually...the doing of something that should be done."

There are a whole lot of reasons why people avoid tasks. (Can you name any?) The two greatest reasons are probably fear and/or discomfort. We would rather do what isn't scary - right? - and what we feel the most comfortable doing - isn't it true?

People much smarter than I would say it's impossible to really move forward in life to any significant degree without facing fear and working through discomfort.

With this in mind I'd like to offer you a quick list that I hope will help motivate you (should you need it) to do today what you would rather do tomorrow.

Ten Ways to Put Off Procrastination:

1. Write down the specifics of what you need to do.
2. Carve up the project into manageable bites.
3. Set aside a block of time to work and start promptly.
4. Focus your entire energy on the task.
5. Steer clear of "tyranny of the urgent" distractions.
6. Keep pressing on despite setbacks/barriers.
7. Realize that halfway done is almost through.
8. Continue the project until completion.
9. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
10. Old Nike commercial: Just do it.

6 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Would say, "love this/great read/am leaping into immediate implementation, but would you mind I contemplate this just the teensiest bit? PROMISE on highest honor to get back to you within 30 years should I live that long.